The Balance
by Catfish and the Bottlemen
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2019
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
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  1. Q Magazine
    May 14, 2019
    60
    While their third third album won't win any prizes for innovation, it's pumped full of the kind of GM-modified anthems expressly tooled for both sticky-floored clubs and gigantic arenas. [Jul 2019, p.109]
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  2. AllMusic
    Apr 25, 2019
    60
    They don't expand their horizons, preferring to stick to the hyper-charged British indie they minted with their 2014 debut, The Balcony.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 25, 2019
    60
    Technically accomplished and assured record, which doesn’t do a massive amount to deviate from the template of Catfish’s debut.
  5. Uncut
    Apr 25, 2019
    40
    Parts of the album are perfectly serviceable but largely the songs become indistinguishable. [May 2019, p.26]
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  6. The Independent (UK)
    Apr 25, 2019
    40
    It’s stuffed with generic accounts of relationships, life on the road, times with the band.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 8 out of 32
  1. babyballs
    Apr 26, 2019
    1
    **** awful, its the same as the other 2 albums they shouldve called it the balcony 3
  2. Gainesy
    Jun 18, 2019
    3
    As a long time fan of Catfish, on the release of the Balance I was a little disappointed. The first four songs from Longshot to ConversationAs a long time fan of Catfish, on the release of the Balance I was a little disappointed. The first four songs from Longshot to Conversation all released prior as singles, for me four singles was too much, and as they released the quality dipped. As for the rest of the album, generic indie, big heavy drops, affected vocals, all done before but better in my opinion. I have to say the only saving grace of the album is ‘Intermission’ before the finale. The stripped back sound can resinate with the listener adding emotions other than over the top drops to which I can only picture crowds of teenage girls screaming to.
    I'm a firm believer in a bands 3rd Lp being a make or break. If you look at previous examples, Be Here Now by Oasis, they never touched on writing an album as good as What's the Story. Arctic Monkeys on the other hand a band that is known for switching up sounds with Humbug, joining the likes of Oasis as one of the biggest bands to come out of Britain. The Balance fails to bring anyhting new to the table and if the band decides to write a 4th LP, it needs a breath of fresh air because I would hate to see a band like Catfish that show plenty of potential fade away and forgotten.    … Full Review »
  3. GRVCELESS
    Jun 14, 2019
    4
    Coming from someone who liked the last 2 albums from Catfish, at least in parts, this album was a disappointment. I wouldn't expect a drasticComing from someone who liked the last 2 albums from Catfish, at least in parts, this album was a disappointment. I wouldn't expect a drastic change to their sound, but there is a failure to develop at all, and in cases, sees a regression. Even for fans of the band, this album is shallow, with the most catchy, if not very creative, tracks were released prior to the album, and are coupled together at the start of the album, meaning it's a downhill slope. Above all the biggest criticism I can give the album, and applied to the majority of the songs featured, is that it is in it's near entirety, forgettable. Hopefully the negative reception will see them try and branch out creatively with any future releases.… Full Review »
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